floods leave thousands homeless

RAINS continue pounding most parts of the country leaving thousands homeless. In Kilimanjaro Region, Hedaru ward in Same Distric, about 40 houses were filled with mud, debris and water leaving more than 215 people without homes.

The rains also left the Dar es Salaam -Moshi-Arusha highway blocked for several hours by debris and mud after flood water flowed above culverts on River Wanchi.

Speaking to 'Daily News', Same District Commissioner Ibrahimu Marwa said Tanroads have removed all debris and mud to enable vehicles to pass.

The rains had also made it impossible for more than 2, 500 pupils from 19 primary schools to attend studies due to the floods caused by Wanchi River which burst its banks.

In Dodoma, the rains have continued to cause havoc in most parts of the region. In Kongwa District several houses have been destroyed in Sagara Ward according to the District Commissioner, Mr Lembris Kipuyo.

DC Kipuyo said that assessment of what had been destroyed by the rains was still continuing. In Mpwapwa District 14 wards have been affected by the rains and rain water coming in from neighbouring districts.

Mpwapwa District Commissioner Darry Rwegasira said that most of the flood waters flow to Mpwapwa from other districts in Dodoma and Singida regions.

''It is raining but most of the floods are coming in from neighbouring districts as well as Singida,'' DC Rwegasira said.

The District Commissioner said that the rains, which started since late December last year, left thousands homeless. So far the government has distributed 1, 000 tonnes of relief food to Mpwapwa District and other basic needs from the Red Cross.

The Chamwino District Commissioner, Mr Lephy Gembe, noted that the rains in the area had destroyed houses, especially those made of mud.

''So far we don't have major disasters in the area but mudhouses continue to crumble due to the rains,'' DC Gembe said.

Yesterday, three people lost their lives due to the rains in Chamwino, Kondoa and Dodoma municipality in Dodoma Region.

In Arusha, a standard four pupil died after a wet wall fell on him.